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The two newer models are the GRP4800 and the GRP4842. There is also the older model GRP4EMB, which is no longer sold by the manufacturer but can still be found on Amazon.

No matter which model you choose, the George Foreman Evolve is an indoor electric contact grill with removable plates that are dishwasher safe. All three models have floating hinges, embedded heating elements, digital controls, and the patented slope design that drains fat to make foods healthier and lower in calories. Features on these three models are very similar, and complete details are covered in the review below so you can compare for yourself.

George Foreman Evolve Grill Overview

The easiest way to begin is with a comparison table. This gives you a quick look at all three versions of the George Foreman Evolve grill so you can see the features of each that are identical and those that are different.

Optional Accessories & Replacement Plates

If you want to expand the versatility of your George Foreman Evolve, there are a number of specialty plates that you can buy. For those who grill often, it can also be convenient to have an extra plate or set of plates on hand so that when one is in the dishwasher you still have a clean plate to use.

When comparing prices of the Evolve to other brands of indoor contact grills, be sure to include the cost of any extras you plan to add.

Here are the accessories that are available for purchase separately for each of the above models:

Note: Model GRP4EMB ships with black grill plates that have the original George Tough™ non-stick coating, and the hatch design on the top plate. If for some reason you want another set of these older model black plates, those can still be purchased if you call the George Foreman company and order directly from them.

George Foreman Black Evolve Grill GRP4EMB

This model sold well and got reasonably high ratings for a good while. You can still buy it from Amazon, so it doesn’t appear that it’s been discontinued. However, it is no longer available from the manufacturer’s website.

The number one complaint about the GRP4EMB concerns the grill plates that ship with this model. On the bottom is a standard ribbed plate, but the top plate has a hatch design instead of straight ribs. The purpose of that was to create better grill markings that can enhance flavor, especially on meats. The problem is that the hatch design makes this plate incredibly hard to clean.

To be fair, you’ll also find some owners who feel that the new ceramic plates don’t clean easily. If given the choice, these users would go back to the original George Tough™ non-stick coating, but only if they could get straight ribbed plates without that hatch design.

Another drawback to this model is its lack of a searing option. This is most important to steak lovers, but also for any time you want to achieve a crispy brown exterior on foods.

Cost is not a big factor because all of the models in the above chart are priced within about $20 of each other. All things considered, you may well find that you get more for your money in one of the newer models.

George Foreman Evolve Grill GRP4842R shown with the included Waffle Plates

George Foreman Evolve Grill GRP4800R shown with the included Deep Dish Bake Pan

George Foreman GRP4842 vs. GRP4800

Aside from color options, about the only question to consider when deciding between these two models is about the extras:

Which extra plates are more important to you, the waffle plates, or the deep dish bake pan and muffin insert?

Either way, all of the plates for these two grills are interchangeable. You can choose either model you prefer and buy the extra plates you want. This will just add to your total cost.

Note that contrary to information that has been widely available from numerous sources, neither of these grills will open completely flat to allow you to use both surfaces for griddling. All three models in the above chart do have a lever that allows you to adjust the angle of the lower plate from sloped to flat. You can griddle on that surface, and the top part of the grill will simply remain open in an upright position. Note that even though you will only be using the bottom plate, the top plate will still get very hot.

For a contact grill that will open flat, check out the Cuisinart Griddler or the Breville Smart Grill. The hinges on these models allow you to open the unit completely so that the top of the grill lays back flat and rests on the counter. That gives you double the available grilling surface for foods such as bacon and eggs or grilled cheese sandwiches, or anything else you want to cook without a closed lid.

Customer Reviews

All of the following applies to BOTH the GRP4800 and GRP4842 Models.

Since about November of 2015, customer service representatives are actively monitoring complaints that appear on sites such as Amazon and responding to most of them. Each company response includes an individual reference ID number, the company’s contact email address, a reminder of the 3 year warranty, and an offer to help. To me this is a very good indicator that the George Foreman company values it’s reputation and is proactive about making sure customers are satisfied after the sale.

In this case, I’d give the manufacturer an A++ because I’ve even seen them reply to completely unreasonable complaints – such as the person who rated the grill only 3 stars because he/she felt it was overpriced.

In fact, the average of star ratings by online shoppers is deceptive. The overall rating would be much higher if you disregard the tremendous number of unjustified complaints. These include people unhappy because they think the cord is too short (it’s a safety feature), or they think the hinges are flimsy (they are intentionally designed this way to conform to thick and oddly shaped foods).

There are, however, some complaints worth noting. Most common are problems due to defective units, including electrical malfunction, uneven heating, or the peeling of the finish on the grill plates or unit exterior. In each of these instances the company has responded and asked for a chance to rectify the problem.

If you should experience that sort of issue, please keep in mind that Amazon is just a distributor. They do not make the product, nor do they provide the warranty. If you want results, writing a bad review on Amazon is a waste of time. Instead, contact the company and ask them to honor their warranty.

The manufacturer’s website offers a way to contact them by email, but only after you have made a purchase. For pre-sales questions you have to call, and my experience with that was very positive. It didn’t take me long to get to a live person, and I received quick and clear answers. I was put on hold once, but only very briefly while the sales rep checked records for me on a specific part number.

Beyond that, a few users complain that the controls are confusing at first, but they are happy after a few weeks of use. You may experience a slight learning curve on that, but this is not a frequent complaint.

A few consumers also report dissatisfaction with the sear feature, claiming that it either doesn’t work at all or produces poor results. Yet the majority say exactly the opposite. On balance, it seems that when searing doesn’t work, you either have a defective unit, or you may need to experiment to get the best results. In both cases you should call the manufacturer. They will even help you get a better understanding of controls and settings to make the sear feature work properly for you.

Lastly, many people do not want to have to buy a separate appliance just to make waffles, and they are perfectly happy the results they get using the Evolve grill. Most admit that they initially had problems with uneven cooking, but that improved with experience. The trick is in using the correct amount of batter, and in finding the “sweet spot” for temperature and cooking time.

For those of you who are waffle connoisseurs and want to perfect, fluffy Belgian waffles, the Evolve grill may not meet your expectations. You will probably be happier with a waffle maker designed specifically for that purpose, such as the very popular Cuisinart WAF-300, or the top rated Conair WMK600 Double Belgian Waffle Maker

Average Customer Rating (Out of 5 Stars): 4.2*

* This number is based on customer reviews from numerous seller sites. Technically, the average rating of the GRP4842 is 4.2, and the average rating of the GRP4800 is 4.3. However, many people write glowing reviews yet still give a product fewer than 5 stars, and others give low star ratings that are completely unfounded. When you weed out those types of misleading ratings, the average for these two models is virtually the same.

Pros & Cons

George Foreman Evolve Grill GRP4842 Series

George Foreman Evolve Grill GRP4800R

Includes bake pan & muffin insert

Does not open completely flat for 2-sided grilling

Waffle plates sold separately

Comes in red only

George Foreman Evolve Grill Review Summary

Unless you specifically want the older GRP4EMB model, your choice basically comes down to the color you prefer and deciding which grill plates you will use most (keeping in mind that you can purchase any or all of the specialty grill plates you want).

The George Foreman Evolve grill is the latest from this well-known maker, and it’s still a brand that many people swear by. These newest models offer more features for versatility, and the price is competitive with comparable models made by other manufacturers. It is apparent that some users have received defective units, but there is also evidence that customer service is actively working to stand behind its products. These indoor contact grills will do a good job on meats and many other foods, and the majority of users are also quite happy with the waffles they turn out. Overall, the Evolve series gives you a good grill, and both of the newer models carry a 3 year limited warranty.

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